The American Extreme

The American Extreme We are frequently bombarded with violent images from horrific injustices, and then completely disregarded by the public servants that are sworn to look out for our best interest. The people are lied to by policymakers and especially those who have a sword to wield across the throats of everyone they deem unworthy. They act as if the fed up men and women with pent-up emotions and unresolved conflicts within just sprung out of nowhere. It’s almost like they think they played no part in the creation of the violent radical individuals that are sprouting like weeds in your mother’s unkempt garden. News stories, social media, plus our own personal experiences with disillusioned individuals make it easy to see how dangerous it has gradually become over the years. Those same articles, posts, and experiences are what majorly contribute to the programming of one’s mind and thinking process. There are some who commit their lives to following politics, social injustice, and personal identity. They wholeheartedly believe that there is an agenda being put in to place to rid the country (nation, world) of their existence. It’s a relatively cheap ideology to feed given the propaganda that is shoved at us on a regular basis to consume, sprinkled with incorrect information scrolling past your timeline every few minutes. The beast gets fed well. This particular mindset can affect anyone. It a terrible disease that eats at you with each passing incident until you finally feel it take over every thought that you have. Just when you think you can’t take it anymore you explode and whoever does not look like you, share your same spiritual belief system, nor is a brother in your sociopolitical views is the target. In the amazing age of technology, it is increasingly easy to find “brothers and sisters” to aid you in your fight for your very own slice of recognition. Once you are connected to like-minded individuals it’s amazing how fast shared thoughts, feelings, and emotions can cultivate a person’s actions into something extreme or violent. The FBI has labeled a new group they are on the lookout for (yet the main group that we should be worried about will simply continue to be ignored) and have issued a 12-page intelligence assessment which is directed at a new policy of keeping an eye out for Black Identity Extremists. “What are those?” You ask.

Well according to the FBI, there is a growing concern that there may be acts of violence committed toward police officers in retaliation for (what some may see as) homicides committed by them against people of color. They are supposedly on alert for any suspicious activity (organizing, rallying, or protesting) involving pro–black groups. When they say suspicious activity they mean ANY activity. But of course, we will rally together, protest ruthless killings, and organize functions together to increase solidarity. So does this mean that any black person who is at least minutely aware of what’s going on in the world should be seen as a threat and watched closely by the FBI? The link to the assessment is included so you be the judge. This brings me to my point. The amount of video available across the internet is bottomless. There is no end to dashcam videos showing misconduct by law enforcement or unlawful practices by lawmakers. It’s enough to cause anyone to have a growing disdain for someone with even a thin connection to government or law enforcement. Now loop the videos of the corruption and murders over and over again and you’re bound to nurture that disdain into a full-fledged rage. Now explain to an enraged person that the people responsible for the crimes against you are above the law. That inspires hate. If you ignore the hate and outrage then there are actions like protests that serve as a voice of the unheard. You pushed people to the extreme and then use the hate you cultivated as a reason to target them. You’ve even give the group(s) a name. I think it’s rather appropriate considering Identifying as Black IS considered Extreme in this country.